Alabama star picks Ole Miss

Rory McKean (RHP, Montgomery, AL) - One of Alabama's top baseball prospects committed to the University of Mississippi this past weekend. McKean was selected to the Mobile Register's 2004 All-Metro squad. Rory is also the star QB for Trinity Presbyterian. McKean is 24 - 0 as a starter.

The following information was revealed during our interview with Rory McKean:

What is your current height and weight? "I am 6' 3", 200."

Which position do you currently play? "I am our ace, and I also play short stop."

Which position are you being recruited to play on the next level? "Ole Miss wants me at pitcher."

Which side do you throw and bat from? "I throw from the right side, and I bat from the right side."

What are your pitching strengths? "Keeping my composure. I do a pretty good job of that. I hit my spots pretty well. I do not throw as hard as some people, but I throw decently hard. I mix up my pitches and speeds and just hit my spots."

What are your working on for the next level? "I am working on my velocity and location. Those are the two main things I am working on."

Which pitches are in your arsenal? "My four seem fastball. I probably throw that the hardest. My two seam fastball, it runs down and in on the right handed batters. That is normally what I throw with two strikes. I am working on my circle change up, but I throw it a good bit. My curveball, it is not a 12 to 6, but more like a 1 to 5. But, it is still very effective for me."

What is your best pitch? "Probably my two seam fastball. That is what I throw when I am trying to get someone out."

What does your 2 seam fastball average? "I would say 87 MPH."

What were your stats as a junior? "I was 9 - 2 with a 1.58 ERA."

Any awards? "I made All-Metro and All-Conference."

Did you attend any showcase tournaments? "I went to the Coach's Association Super 100 showcase tournament. I play football and basketball too, so I did not get to travel with an AAU team last summer. But the summer before last, I played for the AUM All-Stars, and we went to the Dixie World Series and made it to the championship game."

Do you plan to play both football and baseball on the next level? "Baseball will probably dictate if I will. But, I would love to play both sports. If coaches Cutcliffe and Bianco let me, I will play both. I would like to take advantage of an opportunity like that."

Which schools are in the running for your service? "Well, I committed to Ole Miss this weekend. In baseball, I talked to Auburn and Alabama some, but Ole Miss is where I really wanted to be. Football wise, I was being recruited by Auburn, Vandy, Army, and Harvard."

Why Ole Miss? "Just the whole atmosphere. I came down to their camp last summer, and I just really liked Coach Bianco and McDonnell. I came over this weekend for an official visit, and I liked everything about it. I also came to the Tennessee game, and at most schools, they are only worried about football during the season. Ole Miss had a scrimmage the day of the Tennessee game, and there were tons of people at the game. That told me that they were serious about their baseball. I just think their program is headed in the right direction, and I am glad they gave me the opportunity to play for them."

Tommy Trott's father told us that Trinity is going to have a few of your classmates and teammates attending Ole Miss next year; is this true? "I think a couple of our football players are planing on coming to Ole Miss, and we have a few girls who are going to come too. A lot of the students down here go to Auburn and Alabama, but a lot have found out that Ole Miss is a great school to go to. It seems like every year, more and more are starting to go to Ole Miss."

What is your academic status? "I have a 4.1 GPA and a 33 on my ACT test."